Progress toward high-efficiency (>24%) and low-cost multi-junction solar cell production

TECSTAR has made significant progress in improving the efficiency and yield of multi-junction (Cascade®) solar cells. TECSTAR has produced 27.0% efficient 2 cm×2 cm Cascade® cells through improvements in material quality and cell structures. Radiation performance of these cells has also improved. The remaining power after 1E15 e/cm2, 1 MeV electron irradiation is greater than 80%. In addition, TECSTAR has successfully developed an integral bypass diode, grown monolithically with the Cascade® cell. No degradation in the diode performance after subjected to 1E15 e−/cm2, 1 MeV electron irradiation and no degradation in the CIC assemblies after subjected to 3000 cycles of dark reverse test.